In many parts of the world, especially across sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, a young girl’s life can change drastically before she even understands what it means to be a woman. One minute, she is in school, learning to read, count, and dream of a future as a teacher, doctor, or entrepreneur. The next, she is pulled out of the classroom, adorned in bridal attire, and thrust into the responsibilities of marriage and motherhood. Nigeria, despite making strides in girls’ education and child protection, still grapples with the harsh reality of child marriage. According to UNICEF, Nigeria has one of the highest rates of child marriage globally, with 44% of girls married before age 18 and 18% before age 15.

This practice not only shatters childhood dreams but also reinforces cycles of poverty, gender inequality, and illiteracy. However, one proven antidote to this crisis is education. A girl in school is less likely to become a child bride. A girl in school is more likely to gain economic independence, make informed life choices, and raise healthier, educated children. This article explores how investing in education is the strongest tool for eradicating child marriage and turning child brides into scholars, leaders, and agents of change.

To address child marriage effectively, we must first understand why it persists. Cultural norms, poverty, gender inequality, and lack of access to education form a complex web that keeps millions of girls trapped. In rural communities, girls are often perceived as economic burdens. Marrying them off early is seen as a means of securing their future or reducing household costs. In some cases, families believe early marriage protects girls from sexual violence or upholds family honour. However, these decisions have far-reaching consequences. Child brides are more likely to drop out of school, experience domestic violence, suffer complications in pregnancy and childbirth, and face mental health challenges. They are also less likely to be aware of their rights or have access to health services.

Education is more than just literacy and numeracy; it is empowerment. When girls are educated, the ripple effects are felt across families, communities, and nations. According to the World Bank, every additional year of schooling can increase a girl’s future earnings by 10–20%. Educated women are also more likely to delay marriage, make informed health choices, and invest in their children’s education. In Nigeria, where millions of children especially girls remain out of school, promoting access to quality education is not just a policy priority; it’s a social justice imperative. Education gives girls the tools to question harmful traditions, speak out against injustice, and rewrite their futures.

Take the story of Amina, a young girl from northern Nigeria, who was betrothed at 13. Through the intervention of a local NGO, she was withdrawn from the marriage, placed in a boarding school, and offered counselling. Today, Amina is studying to become a lawyer and advocates for the rights of girls in her community. Her story is one of thousands that prove education is the bridge between vulnerability and voice.

Despite the clear benefits, millions of Nigerian girls face significant barriers to education. Insecurity, especially in the North-East, forces families to keep girls at home. Poor infrastructure, lack of qualified teachers, and the high cost of schooling are further deterrents. Cultural biases also continue to reinforce the belief that a girl’s place is in the kitchen, not the classroom. To tackle these issues, a multi-pronged approach is needed. First of its kind is Legislative Reform. Although the Nigerian Child Rights Act sets the legal age of marriage at 18, it is not uniformly adopted across all states. Advocacy and political will are crucial to ensure nationwide enforcement.

Also, Community Engagement is important. Religious and traditional leaders hold immense influence. When they champion education and denounce child marriage, communities are more likely to listen and change. Girl-Centred Interventions, Scholarships, school feeding programmes, menstrual hygiene support, and safe school spaces can make a real difference in keeping girls enrolled. Parents on the other hand need to see the tangible benefits of girls’ education. Success stories, mentorship, and community role models can shift perceptions and encourage long-term investment in girls’ futures.

Several organisations in Nigeria are already making strides. The African Union’s Campaign to End Child Marriage in Africa has helped bring national attention to the issue. NGOs like Girls Not Brides Nigeria, Action Health Incorporated, and UNICEF Nigeria are implementing programmes that educate girls, train teachers, engage communities, and advocate for legal reform. The Nigerian government also has a critical role to play. Policies like the National Strategy to End Child Marriage must be backed by funding, data collection, and measurable outcomes. States should be incentivised to adopt and enforce the Child Rights Act, while local governments must invest in girl-friendly infrastructure—such as separate toilets, safe transportation, and female teachers.

For education to truly be a tool against early marriage, schools must be safe, inclusive, and responsive. Girls should not face harassment, discrimination, or insecurity in pursuit of knowledge. Teachers should be trained to support at-risk students, and curricula should reflect the lived realities of girls, including lessons on rights, reproductive health, and gender equality. Extracurricular programmes like debate clubs, girls’ leadership camps, and STEM bootcamps can also enhance confidence and open doors to opportunities. When girls see themselves represented in textbooks, classrooms, and leadership roles, they begin to dream bigger.

Ending child marriage through education isn’t only about policy or infrastructure it’s about changing narratives. It’s about showing girls, families, and communities that a girl’s value lies not in her dowry or domesticity, but in her intellect, voice, and potential. It’s about replacing the phrase “She’s ready for marriage” with “She’s ready for university.” In the words of Nigerian Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, “Books and all forms of writing are terror to those who wish to suppress the truth.” For girls at risk of early marriage, books are more than terror, they are tools of liberation.

Education is the antidote to silence. It turns young brides into bold dreamers, and victims into voices. It’s time we stop seeing girls as brides-in-waiting and start seeing them as the future they truly are. Let the classroom be the only aisle they walk before adulthood.